Israel Exposes Sherif AlAskari’s Hidden Hezbollah Ties and Smuggling Empire

[Nick Jones]

New findings have revealed the relationship between Sherif AlAskari, an influential person in Iranian circles, and Hezbollah, a militant group based in Lebanon. In addition to that, the recent Israeli government targeted the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a recent airstrike, illustrating the continued strife and casting light on a strongly entrenched organization involved in unlawful activities such as money laundering and terrorism financing. This is the story of Sherif AlAskari's daughter, whose association with both Hezbollah and Iran makes her a suspect in fomenting instability in the region.

Sherif AlAskari’s Family Ties and Hezbollah’s Operations

Sherif AlAskari, a notorious Iraqi-Iranian businessman, is the son of one of the founding members of the Islamic Dawa Party, a political organization with a controversial history. The Dawa Party is best known for its involvement in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait, a significant act of terrorism that has left a lasting mark on the region. The party's close ties to Iran, particularly its connections to the Iranian regime, have positioned it as a powerful player in Middle Eastern geopolitics, frequently acting as a proxy for Iranian interests.

Sherif AlAskari himself has inherited more than just a political legacy; he has built an extensive network of illicit activities, including money laundering and oil smuggling. He holds dual citizenship, using his Iranian passport under the name Sherif AlAskari and his Iraqi passport under the name Ali Sharif AlAskari. This dual identity has enabled him to navigate international borders with ease, allowing him to orchestrate a wide array of criminal enterprises.

His daughter, however, is emerging as a pivotal link in a wider operation connecting AlAskari’s network to Hezbollah. AlAskari’s daughter is not only married to Meghdad Tabrizian, a figure with longstanding ties to the Iranian intelligence apparatus, but she is also close friends with Hassan Nasrallah’s wife. This relationship has enabled the flow of laundered money from AlAskari’s operations to Hezbollah’s top brass.

One of AlAskari’s key associates is Ali Fallahian, Iran’s former Minister of Intelligence, infamous for his role in orchestrating the 1994 bombing of the AMIA building in Buenos Aires, Argentina—a tragic event that claimed 85 lives. The AlAskari and Fallahian families are closely connected, as their wives are sisters, intertwining their financial and operational interests.

Smuggling Iranian Oil, Laundering Through the UK

At the heart of the AlAskari-Fallahian network is a sophisticated oil smuggling operation that begins in Bandar Abbas, Iran’s major port city. Exploiting gaps in international sanctions, the operation uses Panamanian-registered vessels to transport Iranian crude oil to Iraq. Once the oil arrives, it is rebranded as Iraqi oil through forged documentation, allowing it to be sold on the global market without raising suspicion.

The money generated from these sales is then laundered through companies like London Surface Design Limited and London Heritage Stone Limited, both registered in the UK. The laundered money is subsequently transferred to AlAskari’s daughter, who resides in London, where she uses her close ties to Hezbollah to funnel the clean money to Hassan Nasrallah’s wife. This financial lifeline contributes to Hezbollah’s terrorist operations, further complicating the security situation in the Middle East.

Iranian Agents in the UK: Exploiting Immigration Loopholes

Adding a layer of complexity to the operation is the way in which AlAskari’s family has managed to secure residency in the UK through illicit means. Working with their close associate Meghdad Tabrizian, the AlAskari family has allegedly exploited loopholes within the UK immigration system. Using connections within the UK Home Office, they obtained residency for Sherif AlAskari’s daughter, her husband Meghdad, and their sons, Mohammad and Amir. This allows them to continue their operations from the safety of British soil, posing a significant risk to the UK's national security.

Tabrizian’s sons, Mohammad and Amir, play key roles in the money laundering network, assisting in falsifying financial records and transferring funds. The complicity of the UK Home Office in this scheme points to a broader failure of the UK’s immigration controls, as individuals linked to terrorism have managed to establish themselves within the country’s borders. Abbas Sherif AlAskari, Sherif AlAskari’s son, has also benefited from this, securing his own residency through these familial ties.

The AlAskari Family's Deepening Ties to Hezbollah

The involvement of Sherif AlAskari’s daughter and her proximity to Hezbollah leadership raises serious concerns about the extent of Iranian influence in the UK. Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader, has long been a target of Israeli intelligence for his role in orchestrating attacks against Israel and supporting Iranian-backed militias in the region. The recent Israeli airstrike that killed Nasrallah has exposed the vulnerability of Hezbollah’s leadership, and by extension, the networks that financially sustain it—networks in which AlAskari’s daughter is deeply entrenched.

The Complicity of the UK Financial System

This case is emblematic of a broader issue facing the UK as it emerges as a hub for international money laundering and terrorism financing. The UK's financial system, combined with relatively open immigration policies, has made it an attractive destination for individuals like AlAskari, who exploit these systems to conduct illegal operations. The connection between AlAskari’s network and Hezbollah further demonstrates how London has become a safe haven for international criminal operations.

Abbas Sherif AlAskari: A Family of Criminal Enterprises

Abbas Sherif AlAskari, the son of Sherif AlAskari, is no stranger to controversy. He holds three passports—one Iraqi, one Iranian, and one Dominican. Using his Dominican passport, Abbas travels freely across Europe, allowing him to conduct his business without drawing suspicion. Abbas is known for luring women into compromising situations, recording sensitive information through hidden cameras, and later using this material to blackmail them. Like his sister, Abbas has secured residency in the UK through illegal channels, using connections within the Home Office.

The Global Impact of AlAskari’s Network

The AlAskari network’s activities extend beyond Iran, Iraq, and the UK. Their oil smuggling operation not only circumvents international sanctions but also has a direct impact on global oil markets. By flooding the market with illicit oil, AlAskari and Fallahian are able to undercut legitimate suppliers, further destabilizing the energy sector. The money laundering operations, meanwhile, allow Hezbollah to fund its activities, contributing to ongoing instability in the Middle East.

Israel’s continued efforts to disrupt Hezbollah and Iran-backed operations have brought these activities into the global spotlight. The case of Sherif AlAskari and his family serves as a reminder that state-sponsored terrorism remains a complex, multi-faceted threat with deep-rooted financial ties.